Senator The Hon Fiona Nash

Minister for Regional Development
Minister for Regional Communications
former Minister for Rural Health

Survey Reinforces Fight Against Smoking and Substance Abuse

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, has welcomed the release of key findings from the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey which show smoking rates in Australia are falling and young people are putting off their first drink of alcohol.

The Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, today welcomed the release of key findings from the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey which show smoking rates in Australia are falling and young people are putting off their first drink of alcohol.

Minister Nash said the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report provides a strong evidence base for the ongoing development of policies to minimise the harms caused by smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and misuse of legal and illegal drugs.

“The new $4.6 million phase of the National Tobacco Campaign I recently launched underlines the Abbott Government’s commitment to seeing smoking rates fall further still.”

“It shows a significant fall between 2010 and 2013 in the number of people aged 14 or older smoking on a daily basis – from 15.1 to 12.8 per cent – which is great news. The overall fall in the number of cigarettes that people are smoking each week and the fact many young people are putting off starting smoking are also positive signs.

“Ultimately, we want to see more people stop smoking. It is one of the best steps a person can take to improve their health and minimise the risks of diseases like cardiovascular disease and stroke, cancer and chronic respiratory disease.”

Minister Nash also welcomed the report’s findings that Australian teens are continuing to delay taking their first drink of alcohol.

“The report shows that while fewer younger people are drinking alcohol, more work needs to be done.

“Of particular concern is that, while rates have fallen, many people continue to report being a victim of an alcohol-related incident,” Minister Nash said.

“Also, while the report shows that the use of amphetamines in Australia has remained relatively stable since 2010, of those using, there has been a shift away from certain forms of methamphetamines and towards the use of crystal methamphetamine or ice.”

Under the National Drug Strategy, the Government continues to work closely with health and law enforcement officials in states and territories to address illicit drug use.

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey is Australia’s most comprehensive survey on substance use and related issues. The Survey began in 1985 and has been conducted every three years.